2016 Annual Report: All the Way Home Campaign to End Veteran Homelessness

About the Campaign

Did you know that Santa Clara County has among the highest rate of unsheltered homeless veterans in the country? According to the last census, our county has 703 homeless veterans. We have programs that can help, but we need landlords to rent to veterans.

The Campaign is inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2015 Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, in partnership with the Veteran’s Administration and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The campaign will work with landlords and apartment owners to access to rental units (see: Landlord Incentives Flyer) for homeless veterans and their families. Outreach will also be made to corporations and faith based groups to aid with land acquisition, housing development, access to rental units, financial assistance and services.

Progress

Number of Veterans Housed

each icon represents 10 veterans

0

Number of Landlords

each icon represents 10 landlords

0

Number of Faith Based Organizations

each icon represents 10 Faith Based Organizations

0

Funding Committed to End Veteran Homelessness

The City of San Jose will be committing up to $6 million for new housing opportunities that could serve more than 100 veterans. Recently, the Board of Supervisors authorized an additional $1.5 million a year in housing and services for homeless veterans. The Housing Authority annually has up to $7.445 million available through Veterans Affairs (federally supported) Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers.

The Need

Santa Clara County has one of the most expensive rental markets in the nation. With vacancy rates at an all time low, we need our community partners to work with us to match veterans with housing units, ensuring that we are able to bring them All The Way Home. The Campaign is actively seeking partner landlords who will rent vacant units to homeless veterans. In exchange, the veteran’s rent will be subsidized through the federal or local government.

Homeless Veterans in Santa Clara County

There are currently 703 homeless veterans in Santa Clara County, 683 are single and 20 are living in families. Females comprise 13% of single homeless veterans and 65% of homeless veterans in families. 314 veterans are considered chronically homeless, which is 46% of the homeless veteran population. Only 37% of homeless veterans are sheltered, with 63% unsheltered. 71% of homeless veterans were living in this county when they most recently became homeless. Additionally, 8% were in a hospital or treatment facility just prior to becoming homeless and 23% are experiencing homelessness for the first time.

Many U.S. veterans experience conditions that place them at increased risk for homelessness, including higher rates of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), sexual assault and physical disability. Veterans experiencing homelessness are more likely to live on the street than in shelters and often remain on the street for extended periods of time.